Banks asked to create awareness about special schemes of SBP

Banks urged to create awareness among general public about State Bank of Pakistan Special scheme for agriculture , small and medium enterprises (SME)”. Syed Samar Hasnain, Executive Director State Bank said this during a seminar arranged in Attock for raising awareness among the people for Agriculture and SMEs. On this occasion, Mr. Arif Naqvi a well reputed figure of Attock City and former banker,Muhammad Shahid President Attock Chamber of Commerce, Ahsen Khan Progressive farmer, Arshad Jamil Ex- President Attock Chamber of Commerce, Waseem Akhtar Regional Head National Bank & Muthair Kazmi from Bank of Punjab participated in the event.

Senior Officials from various banks and representative of business community along with number of farmers also attended the seminar. Executive Director Samar Hasnain in his address said that despite the fact that number of schemes and facilities are available for agriculture credit and SME finance, farmers and business community is not taking advantage of these facilities because of lack of awareness. “All banks have been made responsible to ensure that awareness about these schemes must be created in all parts of Pakistan. State Bank of Pakistan has already given target to the banks for agri-credit and SME Finance” Mentioned Samar Hasnain.

On the occasion Arif Naqvi while appreciating state bank’s efforts emphasised that banks should setup dedicated desks for agriculture and SMEs. Ahsan Khan also gave suggestions for promotion of agriculture sector in Pakistan. Event was also attended by other State Bank officials from Rawalpindi and Karachi. It may be noted that this was first time in Attock’s History when such a senior level official from State Bank of Pakistan visited Attock and addressed a seminar.